Bangladesh set for another pace test as NZ look to seal series today

New Zealand are likely to put Bangladesh through another trial by high pace as they look to seal the ODI series in the second game in Christchurch. In the first game, in Napier, Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson shared seven wickets with their pace and accuracy, while many of the Bangladesh batsmen made the job easier for the home side by attempting big shots. Martin Guptill then took care of the modest chase with his 15th ODI hundred. He put together two big partnerships with Henry Nicholls and Ross Taylor as Bangladesh couldn’t quite force any mistakes.

During their 103-run stand, Guptill and Nicholls played with the confidence that comes with being faced with a low target, helped along by the knowledge that they had batsmen like Taylor and Kane Williamson to follow. It was, in many ways, the template they would want to follow at the World Cup. To their credit, the Bangladesh batsmen were brave against the hostile attack, but they weren’t quite up to the task either. Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das were out to good deliveries but Mushfiqur Rahim tried to cut one that was too close to his body and Soumya Sarkar threw it away, like he does so often. Mahmudullah looked frustrated at not finding boundaries, while Sabbir Rahman got into a huge tangle while trying to play a sweep, ending prostrate on the floor.

Bangladesh’s bowling also needs some attention. Mashrafe Mortaza, Mustafizur Rahman and Mehidy Hasan bowled steadily but they missed Shakib Al Hasan’s ten solid overs. That can’t be helped, of course, but bringing Rubel Hossain in might add a little sparkle to the attack.

Trent Boult bowled like the champion he is in Napier, removing Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim – Bangladesh’s best batsmen – in a hostile first spell. Boult used his experience and expertise, especially in these conditions, well, and could well make it tough for the visiting batsmen one more time in Christchurch. During his 90-ball 62 in Napier, Mohammad Mithun certainly looked the part as someone who can tackle high pace. He also showed a willingness to be patient as batsmen at the other end were too trigger-happy.

There’s no need for New Zealand to break their winning combination, but legspinner Todd Astle and veteran paceman Tim Southee are waiting in the wings, and could be tried out. Bangladesh are unlikely to tinker with the batting line-up but their bowling needs an enforcer. Rubel is certainly an option, but can they drop Mohammad Saifuddin after he made crucial runs in the first game?